14. Science and Mysticism : Are they compatible ?

Science and mysticism

Both science and mysticism aim to reveal the nature of reality or truth, however this is where there similarity ends. Science tries to do this by observing the external world, say, empirical method. On the other hand mysticism looks inside to tell us that the reality of world inside.

Science does not believe in anything that cannot be proved by observable physical evidence, tested empirically and have explanations related to laws of nature. Mysticism talks of extra sensory perception which is beyond the physical world.Since time immemorial, humans have tried to understand the world and they have adopted different methods like meditation, tapasya etc.In the context of Indian civilization this quest is recorded in the Vedas and Upanishads. Pinnacle of Indian mystic thought reached with the Updeshas of Vedanta and Buddha. The spirituality for which Indian mystic thought, highly acclaimed and respected worldwide, reached at zenith in this era.  

Recent times advances in sciences have changed our paradigm of understanding of the world especially advances in quantum physics. Objectivity of the world proved to be a fiction by quantum physics many times and again. Latest advances in physics and research shows that path of science is converging with the path of mystics and transcendental thoughts. It seems that this difference only lies in humans conceptions only.

Mysticism is the gist of all religion. Religion is symbolic expression of mystic experiences and experiments.Science is limited by its adherence to logical consistency, evidences to prove physical phenomenon and related laws and principles. Mysticism supported us to go beyond thoughts and concepts given by science. Thus mysticism is bridge between human capacity and incapacity to realize the world. However if we scrape the surface we realise the deep similarities between the two.  

 If scientists are constantly trying to make new discoveries or to develop new concepts and theories, then the body of knowledge produced by science should undergo constant change. Such change is progress toward a better understanding of nature. Every realm of answers lies in the desire to improve people’s life and Economic development.  Societies support science because of simple curiosity and because of the satisfaction and enlightenment that come from knowledge of the world around us.

In the similar way, mysticism quench the thirst of human curiosity and pursuit of spiritual life  by finding satisfying explanation of unexplainable (by any other faculties).Mysticism is science or art of spiritual life. It is the expression of the innate tendency of the human spirit towards complete harmony with the transcendental order.

But ultimately every pursuit of humans whether science or mysticism are all having utilitarian order that is to serve human society in finding its goal of happiness and prosperity. Any aspect of human life is means to an end which is a Human itself.  

With the advancement of basic science research we are able to observe the smallest particle which is all present in universe. Mysticism says the same thing my intuition and spiritual experience. Both are in pursuit of truth and exploring the true nature of universe. The differentiation created by human thought of universe seems to merge at a certain point where our civilization is heading. Science and mysticism are all compatible as they evolved differentially from experience of humans and merge with the same faculty. Ultimately the knowledge is just a agency of enriching human life which encompass both science and mysticism.

13. Modernism and our traditional socio-ethical values

Can a culture  be so vulnerable that any other contemporary culture pose a threat to its existence by infusing its values.Our debate presents a idea of fear for decreasing traditional values in the light of so called modern values.The word modernism however is used to describe certain trends in art, writing, criticism and philosophy that have had a powerful influence on the development and experience of the 20th century. Conventionally we can date these trends from the last decade of the 19th century (1890) to about the beginning of the 2nd world war in 1939.Modernism reflects intangible social values,beliefs ideology under modernity than the centralising around material culture.Material culture changes rapidly as compared to non material culture that is ideological change.It is called cultural lag.whenever a change comes a reaction found to counter the change and resist it .This resistance makes change gradual and bring at a suitable pace so that other related things also change in compatible manner.
                Foremost,the question arise is that whether modernism and traditional socio-ethical values are compatible and can coexist together or antagonistic to each other.the clear cut answer is difficult to find out.Let us take a example that people are now more secular than before.Is it means the religion will wipe out from traditional society one day. No but definitely the the religion will be restricted to individual more and more than a collective idea.Both modernism and traditional socio-ethical values are differed but impact each other subtly and give birth to new fused values which is a fine mix of modernism and tradition.
                        Values are beliefs hold by humans as subjects of a society for judging moral good or bad conduct and behaviour.While a try to find out about something that whether it is ethical or not ,is a systematic investigation of finding good or bad with certain principles of theoretical construct.It is enquiry to find out what is good or bad and why.
Socio-ethical values related to judgement of good and bad are hold collectively by a group or societ

12. Increasing computerization would lead to the creation of a dehumanized society.

Intro:

The invention of computers in second half of 20th century and later its ubiquitous presence in all domain of human life,certainly transformed the society at a fast,deepened and broadened way.Even some are arguing that excessive use of computers dehumanising the society.though arguments has its own merits because computerisation has reduced the frequency of human to human interaction.But the opposite view is also true which says that computers will give humans more free time by reducing the drudgery so that we can choose to spend more time with family and friends.

Computerisation is increasing at a relentless pace and registered its presence so deeply and ubiquitously that no part of human life ans society is untouched to computers.Now we can see computers,laptops,tablets,mobile phones,robots etc. are proliferating and invading our society more broadly,deeply and intensely.We can see day to day improvements in its technology both hard and soft.it increases efficiency and saves time in any operation where used. Globalization also putting pressure on individual,organisation and countries to increase efficiency where computers are protagonist.the view that computerization is leading to dehumanization may have its own arguments and its cogency.then definitely there are some phenomena which are causing to loose human of  there basic immemorial and universal biological and social instincts.
         First computerisation is cause behind digitisation of society and its being.After influencing from computers way of making decision and arguments on binary logic ,humans started thinking at the same pattern and trying to make objective decision in every field whether physical science,social science and other aspects of its life where feelings,emotions and mutual bonds are dominant.Because of this approach free flow of human emotions,ideas and ultimately value based life hinders which furthers reduces quality of human life.
       Second,due to computerization,automation of industries replaces manual labour with machines and robots.The high skilled workers only interact with machines and robots which reduces human to human interrelationship and causing dehumanization of corporate life.
            Third, if in social and economic life the front face of society will become the computers and all good and services are delivered online.Then in all ,social life will contain interpersonal relation at much reduced frequency and intensity.
             Fourth,far distant relation are now easy to maintain by the use of computers and internet through emails and social media.When we observe dehumanisation phenomenon ,it can contain two aspects first,in general the human values like openness,warmth and emotions are reducing in contents from beings of society.Second,on e man is considering the other as less human or mere utility objects.When far distant relation are maintained digital world,the relations are there to fulfill the emotional need of us but not because emotional attachment is there thats why relations are sustained.how the utilitarian aspect intruding in emotional bondage.
Due to computerisation we have entered into the Information age 
which is also called Second industrial revolution or IT revolution.the existing digitised corpus of information which further facilitate the information as commodity/instrumental leads to devalue of humans in the similar way ,as observed in capitalism where capital and machine led to alienation in Society ,according to Marx.However everything comes in package so the computers in digital world.It is the humans who would decide the fate of their society by evaluating all aspects of computerisation.The focus of every invention must be enrichment of human life ,comfort and well being of humans and collective,common rich social life.So we may rely on computerisation and related aspects to extend human civilization on the planet Earth by facilitating sustainable social,economic,political and cultural life to humans.

10. Disinterested intellectual curiosity is the life blood of real civilization

Intro:
Human intellect is not free from his interest so his(human's) curiosity which is always pacified by organised scientific enquiry and investigation in the field related.then man's intellect that  is the ability to reason is used for to spread and to earn a consensus for his own preferences and priorities compatible to one's opinion and thoughts constructed after thorough investigation.Man is bestowed with blessing of independent thinking and reason.But progress demands more than intellect .Intellect which serve the common good or for good of whole society rather than narrow interest of Individual or few.Disinterested intellectual curiosity is what if present in individual he never seeks personal advantage by orienting effort  in his own favour and in doing so maintain true spirit and essence of the reason.

Curiosity ,Intellect and Knowledge

Inquisitiveness is mother of all knowledge ,which man employs for obtaining the knowledge of whatever the unknown and to add in the existing corpus of knowledge.But it should be free from prejudices of the existing knowledge.If not then the existing ken and corpus of knowledge loose its usefulness and worthiness in the time because of continuous change in human society.Without curiosity ,the intellect is fruitless and so the knowledge loose its vitality and vigourness.

Intellectual curiosity :A vital of civilization

Progress is born of inquiry.when intellectual inquiry finds the problems of man and aid human to live better,progress occurs.Progress is a change towards a anticipated goal.Civilization is a utilitarian order.What we achieved cumulatively throughout the change it its journey.Human civilization ,according to some thinkers ,followed the cyclic order creation and death.Worlds were created and decayed .The changes in physical environment and biological evolutionary changes  are adapted by humans through the technological order and cultural order.But both technology and cultural order needs upgradation to facilitate adaptability to Human civilization irrespective of time and space.Advancement comes through investigation which is stimulated by curiosity.Curiosity about nature,about self existence,about metaphysics and any other phenomena which lacks logical explanation of occurrence.In this way curiosity is drive behind civilizational progressiveness.If not so then Societies get entrapped in dark ages like In India after Gupta's age and in premodern european societies.
Real civilization and Goal

If we relate real civilization with sustainability,vitality and healthiness then its constituents must have contentment all throughout life.Change is inevitable,permanent ,continuous and more a necessity.It is the blood of any civilization and needs fresh supply recurrently.Every domain of life affected by lack of intellectual curiosity.then the goal of the civilization is defeated .To provide the best possible life to its beings  is the means as well as end of the civilization.

11. Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative ,economic and developmental implications

In any federation and union states are different administrative and political entity which represent separate identity of themselves with respect to each other.This separate identity of state solidified in the people's ideology attached to language ,ethnicity or other for of cultural identity.Whenever the demands of any group of people not met with their aspirations  and necessities then the caused frustration led to claim for separate statehood.though lack of development of a particular region and its people is primary reason for demand for creation of smaller state but sometimes political parties also polarize the demand of separate statehood in their own vested interest of narrow political gain.

                  In India,the demands of separate states has been evaporating from time to time after independence.With State reorganisation act,1956 the various small states cam e into existence on linguist basis,after that Goa,Nagaland ,Sikkim etc. formed from Foreign territory or Union territory.In 1966 haryana was created after bifucation of Punjab.In 2000. three states Uttarakhand,Jharkhand and chattisgarh were created from UP ,Bihar and Madhya pradesh repectively.In these three states chhatisgarh and Jharkhand were created on the basis of backwardness and tribal identity while Uttarakhand was created for separate geographical Terrain and related culture.

                 Regionalism and ethnic sentiments of the deprived sections(from main stream development) ,when polarised ,a demand of smaller state comes to the surface.When demand of smaller state matures then definitely there are some plausible reasons . the reasons propagated can be that the small state are better maintained and run by administrative machinery .Smaller state have lesser number of groups with separate identity or sometimes a single ethnic or cultural group .Thus the discriminatory politics can not play its part to create regional disparities.all the areas and people are taking care by government at par with a particular geographical area will be utilized for that part only. Class and group conflict will be minimized or atleast will be lessened.
In India ,there are more than 20 demands are there for separate . Demands for Gorakhaland in Northern  west Bengal,Bodoland in northern Assam,Bundelkhand from UP and Madhya Pradesh,Harit pradesh,Awadh and purvanchal from UP,Marusthal from western Rajasthan,Kongu Nadu from Tamilnadu,Laddakh from J & k, Tulu Nadu from Karnatka,Kosal from Odisha ,Vidarbha from Maharashtra and Kutch or Saurashtra from Gujrat etc. are at one stage or another.
                  when we talk about consequent administrative,economic and developmental implications then certainly we can say that  administrative convenience cannot come from smaller territorial jurisdiction but comes from rational and justified work allotment among administrators and administrative expertise.The administration effectiveness also depends on fair recuitment ,corruption free environment ,instrumental role of administration with political neutrality etc. Large state with large administrative machinery can be equally efficient if appropriate and balanced division of authority is excercised among staff agency and field units.Economic sustainability depends on the available capital,natural resources and human resource .If anyone among these lacks then economy of the state will suffer despite its size and population.Even smaller state cannot sustain without proper availability of economic prerequisites for development.While development is more comprehensive than mere administrative or economic aspect which better evaluated by empirical evidences.In 2000,three states were created in which Chhatisgarh and Jharkhand missed their aspire and expected level of development except Uttarakhand.Jharkhand even proved to be political failure state though having vast natural resources.Implication in terms of development depends on all aspects administrative ,political and Economic and Social also.We cannot evaluate considering only one aspect that whether the newly created state will be successful on the expected growth trajectory.
                          Creation of the state should be rational after prolonged public debate and thorough evaluation and not initiated or motivated  by political interest.It should emerge from genuine people's aspirations and necessity.Autonomy may be the intermediary stage but may be effective in gradual transfer of power to people,administration and political group of newly created state.

8. Is autonomy the best answer to combat balkanisation

Intro:
Explanation of Balkanisation: (B)

Originally Balkanisation is the geopolitical term used to describe the division of a region or state into the small fragmentation.It was coined at the end of World War I to describe the ethnic and political fragmentation that followed the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, particularly in the Balkans.But  now the term is used in broader aspect even refer to fragmentation of organization,technical concept like internet any paradigm or even any concept.

Cons of (B):

(B) leads to creation of smaller states after division which further lack in capacity in terms of Economic,political,administrative etc. This small nation image not so relevant at world stage to project herself as a power.the smaller state even lack in capacity to deal with external threat and becomes prone to security threat.The state becomes constrained to undertake big projects for the welfare of the society.

(B) has no end in itself ,it may have cascading effect and defeat the purpose for which it came into existence by demanding more autonomy or further Balkanisation.Second,B is against the trends of time.Here we can quote the examples of regional blocs like EU ,African union etc. the 21st century is for heterogenous societies(moving towards homogeneity) and cultural mix under discourse of Globalisation having instruments and concepts of mobility,communication ,internet,spread of cosmopolitan culture to dilute the heterogeneity among societies.
Autonomy :An evaluation

Autonomy refers to one's own self-governance or accountability for one's actions..It satisfies the aspirations of the people under constitutional framework.it stave off  division of country.But sometimes it creates anarchic condition when the actors after getting autonomy act according to their whims and fancies.So a machinery should be already in governing framework to curb excessive arbitrariness in the excercise of autonomy. When Balkanisation is demanded by demagogues,office seekers and political entrepreneurs then coercion is the best option.Asymmetric feudalism and other constitutional innovations are other forms through which we can fight with Balkanisation.Group rights in Indian constitution(art 25-30) is another method to combat Balaknisation.
Is autonomy is the best answer 
Autonomy is one of the methods to combat Balkanisation .there is not one sure fit for all problems .Solution has to be problem specific. There can be any case where autonomy is the best answer.
Conclusion :
Though Balkanisation is not always the best answer but it can be if implemented in time.the demands for autonomy or for Balkanisation develops gradually.Whether it is state or organisation when works in efficiently or can not fulfill its purpose then a leval of discontent evolves among their constituents.When this discontent matures and not addressed in the duration of time it converts into the demands of balkanisation.

9. National Identity and patriotism

Intro:

Balanced,rational and healthy feeling of patriotism is necessary for the healthy ,sustainable and progressive life of the nation.patriotism dependent on national identity(NI) and also promotes it.NI like any other identity is a social political construct so have its own constraint.It is extraneous.

NI and Patriotism have deep relation, more correctly if NI is not well formed then Patriotism  is difficult to be found in state's subjects.

How NI Is formed 

Politics is the main medium through which NI is formed.Politics uses shared history,commonality of culture and ethnicity .Dialogue between past and present.Dependent on contemporary politics .Eg When BJP formed the government in 1998 then it changed the content of NCERT book to glorify Hindu nation and Hindu ideology. British Rule came out with different version of history which served their interest.Pakistan,India and Bangalore -all three countries shared the same history but differently taught in each country.Though ideally state should stay away from academia. Subnational identities can promote secessionist tendencies.tendencies. Demagogues ,rabblerousers can use such NI's for political gains.Patriotism is the last resort of the scoundrels.

Democratic ,inclusivist and minority rights respecting open political space for expression of all shades of opinion and such a political system leads to development of healthy ans all comprising NI which is good for Nation and civic life.

NI ,patriotism and nationalism

Too much extreme patriotism leads to Nationalism which further transform into Nazism and Fascism.Even Rabindranath tagore in his essay on 'Nationalism' ,ahs no hesitation in condemning it. He call it 'the organised self interest of a whole people and self idlolatory.Presently existence of large no. of artificial states like Africa,south Asia,City states(Hongkong,Taiwan,Kuwait etc) can not have balanced spirit of Patriotism among its citizen though can be mobilized by Politicians having narrow  or vested interests.These artificial states are hotbed for superpower rivalry and for them it is very difficulty to maintain security ,territorial integrity and national interest.In these states nationalism evaporated as reaction to interference of superpower and antagonistic to the same.

Origin of Nattionalism /Nation can be refer to 'westphalian Treaty'(1648) and the French Revolution(1789). The reasons of origin were given as Security of the state so to make society a fighting machine through centralisation of power.
Patriotism and Nationalism ,though both use National Identity but there is difference in purpose.Patriotism is incipient,implicit spirit evolved gradually for national solidarity ,collectiveness and national interest.but it seems the contemporary Nationalism is like a hot air blowing with a certain cause,usually against Internationalism.
EU: a case study 
EU, a supranational project for which a patriotism was a hindrance as it considered nationality  at par with homogeneity before but now patriotism giving space to spirit of regional cooperation and collectiveness.It seems 20th century was for homogenous society reflected through NI but 21st century is for heterogeneous societies. Here we can quote Indian example where Local and national identities both are equally strong and in harmony.India is a set example for EU of future.
Conclusion:
National Identity should be promoted as inclusive and in moderate tone so that it can not go against Internationalism which is demand of the world in future.Humanity can play a decisive and imperative role for harmonious exploitation of National identity for the betterment of the world including the nations individually.Education may prove as one of the means ,Information age can better use of communication technology to spread such kind of education.